Fayetteville Murder Suspect, Parents Say Officials Have Wrong Man

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The man that Fayetteville investrigators believe killed the wife of a Special Operations soldier last week made his first court appearance Monday.

John Wood, 20, faces first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of 40-year-old Angela Mosden.

During his appearance, Wood asked for a court-appointed attorney.

Wood was arrested Saturday at his home on Blackbird Road.
The home is located about a mile from Mosden's home.

Wood reportedly told his father that he has not had any connection to the family since dating Mosden's oldest daughter two years ago.

"There's something going on," the suspect said. "I don't know what it is, but like I said, I have no comment at this time and I'm innocent."

Mosden, whose husband who was deployed in Afghanistan, was stabbed multiple times in her home early Thursday morning. Two of her three daughters were at home at the time.

Investigators told Wood's parents that they have a bloody jacket and fingerprints linking their son to the crime scene.

However the Wood family questions the evidence because test results are not yet back.

The family said that the jacket belongs to another boy living in the home who cleans kidney dialysis machines for a living and often comes in contact with blood.

"I understand the police are under great pressure, [that] this is high-profile. And what happened to the family of that soldier is horrendous. This man is over there fighting for our country and this happens to him. It's just unspeakable," said David Wood.

The suspect's father said investigators have the wrong man.

"One of the things that bothers me is that last night on television ...
they said that now the neighborhoods are resting much easier
and they feel closure because the murderer is behind bars and we know for an absolute fact that this is not true. That man is still out there," he said.

Sheriff Moose Butler said that there is probable cause and that he is confident that the right man is behind bars.

Tests on the jacket and other evidence is expected back Tuesday. Wood's next court appearance is scheduled for March 28.